James Earl Jones' Original "Field of Dreams" Speech is Infinitely Better than Vin Scully's

Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play announcer Vin Scully is retiring after this season. His greatness is being feted at every opportunity, and for good reason. His ability to spin a yarn within the flow of a baseball game hearkens back to a different era and is comforting to the soul.

But he’s not infallible. Not everything he does is a home run.

Scully recently recreated James Earl Jones’ “People Will Come” speech from Field of Dreams. It was fine.

Predictably, this elicited “give you chills” headlines from assorted websites and, technically, I guess some goose flesh could have cropped up on the most sentimental of skin.

But let’s not go crazy. Scully’s reading lacked so much of the magic that makes Jones’ monologue so special.

It’s difficult to imagine a single person watching both versions and thinking Scully’s was better. I realize in saying this that I’m doing the unthinkable and besmirching a beloved public figure. I prefer to think of it as adding praise to Jones’ performance instead of taking away from Scully’s.

Just thought someone needed to point this out. I’ll sit back and read your angry comments now.